July 28, 2008, 11:32AM

The Bethlehem Township planning commission is expected to discuss tonight a proposed prison day center for Northampton County. The center, proposed for Fritch Drive, across from the Meals on Wheels center, would house nonviolent offenders in work release and rehabilitation programs, including counseling and community re-education. Developer Abraham Atiyeh has said he would own and operate the center, and Northampton... Full story »

August 18, 2008, 8:21AM

Bethlehem Township, Pa., commissioners are expected to discuss the proposal for a prison day center at tonight's meeting. The board meets at 7 o'clock at the township municipal building. The proposed $10 million inmate work-release and treatment center has been met with mixed reactions in the township, but Northampton County officials have said the center will house nonviolent offenders and... Full story »

October 15, 2008, 11:49AM

February 04, 2009, 8:13PM

Bethlehem Township officials tonight rejected a proposed prison treatment center on Fritch Drive. In a 4-1 vote, the township's zoning hearing board shot down the proposal, claiming the center would negatively effect the township's health, safety and welfare. Developer Abraham Atiyeh said he would appeal the decision. Full story »

March 04, 2009, 5:05PM

Developer Abraham Atiyeh is suing Bethlehem Township's zoning board over its denial of a proposed Northampton County inmate work-release and treatment center. Atiyeh is an equitable owner of the parcel on 4255 Fritch Drive and a treatment center is a permitted use under the township zoning laws by special exception, says the lawsuit filed today in Northampton County court. Full story »

April 22, 2009, 10:49PM

Developer Abraham Atiyeh received approval today from the Bethlehem zoning hearing board to build 151 apartments at the former Bethlehem Silk Mill instead of the 78 condominiums previously approved for the West Goepp Street site. Construction is nearly done on 55 of the apartments in one of the site's original 1886 buildings. The other 96 apartments will be built... Full story »

May 04, 2009, 2:32PM

A hearing to decide whether the township should change its zoning to allow prisons has been postponed. Developer Abe Atiyeh was to appear at 7 o'clock tonight before the Bethlehem Township, Pa., Commissioners at the township municipal building. But the hearing was postponed at Atiyeh's request, said Bethlehem Township Manager Jon Hammer. The township's zoning hearing board in February... Full story »

July 20, 2009, 7:31PM

Northampton County Judge Michael V. Franciosa ruled today that the Bethlehem Township, Pa., Zoning Hearing Board must reconsider its denial of a prisoner treatment center. Franciosa rendered the decision in proposed developer Abraham Atiyeh's lawsuit against the board. Atiyeh filed suit after the board in February voted 4-1 to reject the proposal, citing fears the center would tax the local... Full story »